The Flight of the Saltire

[Riverkilt]

After a couple hours underground the Lilliputian Zeppelin emerged from Gold Hill and headed over to Box Canyon Falls - a thundering waterfall in a slot canyon - to check out the action.





After escaping the cold thundering water and dark canyon the Saltire rested a while and played with the chipmuks at Box Canyon Falls Park





And a romance developed...

[KiltedKnome]

Those chipmunks must have been really puzzled!

[Riverkilt]

Monday morning the Saltire woke to snow with THREE passes to cross to get home.

First a stop at the Miner's Memorial - a sacred place and a very authentic statue of how it was when Riverkilt worked underground. Right down to the rocks representing the stope the miner is standing on.



Then a stop at O'Brien's Pub. Plans for fish and chips there yesterday died with the power outage. The "Closed for power outage" sign was still up despite the power being restored in early afternoon yesterday. Go figure.





Then it was time to head up the Millon Dollar Highway, over the passes towards home. The high winds and heavy snow made travel "interesting" since Colorado doesn't waste any money on guard rails. Certainly improves one's focus on the road.

Stopped at the old Idarado Mine where Riverkilt worked underground as a lad of 18 back in 1963. The historic mine is now an environmental hazard but locals say there are plans to clean her up and open her up again.



Another quick and VERY COLD stop in Silverton for a pic of one of the engines that pulls the Denver & Rio Grande RR Narrow Guage up from Durango and back.



Then on through Durango, Mancos, Cortez and back across the Ute and Navajo reservations. Stopped in Kayenta for gas and took the baby blimp over to see a female hogaan. That's the east face of Black Mesa in the background.



On across the rezlands, through Tsegi Canyon, Black Mesa, Mesa View, Shonto, Inscription House, and Kaibeto. Nearing home the Saltire soared ahead towards Navajo Mountain and home.



How ironic that the Saltire arrived just as Riverkilt was headed out on vacation so she still has to explore the canyonlands.

[Livingston]

Great pics, Ron. I've been around some of those places (Canyonlands, Durango, Silverton etc.) and enjoy the differences everyone has in the way they view what I have seen. Keep up the good work.

[cessna152towser]

I am SO envious of you Ron and of the wee Saltire when I see that pic, the Silverton and Durango is high on my wish list of places to visit.

[toadinakilt]

This little ship gets around! Amazing shots, amazing scenery.

How does one go about getting on the Saltire's itinerary? I've got a few places around here she should visit...

[unaspenser]

Great photos! I have loved watching the Saltire's Journey. Arlen and I would love to host her here in the Gem State. Where is she headed next?

[Riverkilt]

So the Saltire flew out amid the flood of Memorial Day weekend tourists to explore the Canyonlands of the Colorado River.

Glen Canyon Dam



The top of Glen Canyon



Antelope Pass



The top of Marble Canyon



And Marble Canyon from the old Navajo Bridge - looking upstream

[Riverkilt]

Here's the Navajo Nation sign, shows how the Navajo Nation extends into three states, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.



Here's Lees Ferry where the down canyon raft trips outfit.



Flying over Paria Beach looking upstream to Lees Ferry.



Downstream view from Lees Ferry



Paria Riffle - the first hint of whitewater downstream from Lees Ferry.



And finally, on a hot day the wee ship took a cautious shore-hugging dip in the crystal clear waters of the Mighty Colorado River

[SoulFyre777]

Great pics Ron!! I'm loving watching the Saltire's trip thru the west!